Julian Lennon has opened up about his perpetual distance from the inner workings of the Beatles legacy, revealing that he’s rarely informed about new projects concerning his father’s iconic band.
“I’m not part of the inner circle – I never have been,” Lennon told The Guardian in a candid interview. Reflecting on his childhood, he recalled, “[W]hen Dad left… it was just Mum and me, and we had nothing to do with the Beatles or Dad. I visited him on the odd occasion, but we were very much on the outside.”
This separation extends into the present. Julian acknowledged that while his half-brother Sean Lennon is more directly involved, even Sean must keep tight-lipped about any developments. “I’m thankful that Sean and I get on like a house on fire – we’re best buddies,” he said. “[H]e tells me what he can, but things are pretty secret on the Beatles front.”
Despite describing the situation as “extraordinarily strange,” Julian remains philosophical. “I’m not upset about it. I’d rather be excited and impressed by what they did and continue to do. As a fan, I’m just as curious as anybody else; although I do find myself going, ‘How is it possible that there’s another Beatles film?’”
Julian also spoke about the motivation behind his own creative pursuits, which span music, photography, and filmmaking. Much of it, he admitted, stems from wanting to define himself outside the shadow of being John Lennon’s son.
“I said, ‘What I need to do for me, first and foremost, is to build up a body of work, a foundation that I can stand on, that nobody can take away from me.’ And I continue to do so,” he explained. “It’s not to show off; it’s just to prove to myself that I can actually do this stuff. I’m not interested in fighting other people’s opinions.”
While 2022’s Jude marked his latest musical release, Julian admitted he has no immediate plans for a follow-up. He recounted a recent disappointment that left him disheartened.
“I put a band together at the end of last year and did some rehearsals in Los Angeles, and I was amazed at how great we sounded,” he said. The intention was to showcase the group on major American late-night TV programs, but things didn’t pan out. “Sadly nobody would have me on, so that was a bit of a letdown. I’m not saying I’m leaving music alone, but I was heartbroken by that; I still am.”
For now, Julian continues to walk his own path, navigating a complex relationship with his father’s monumental legacy while carving out a space that’s entirely his own.
